Stovetop Extender

ABSTRACT

A counter gap extension device comprises an angle section having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion has a cutout channel for accepting a magnetic strip material substantially traversing the entire vertical portion. One embodiment includes a portion on each end of the vertical portion without magnetic strip to allow a user to trim the length to fit specific counter widths. The counter gap extension device is placed against an appliance with the horizontal portion covering and protecting the gap. The magnetic strip removeably holds the counter gap extension device in place. One embodiment includes a plurality of circular shaped magnets disposed within the vertical portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/019,372, filed Jan. 7, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the advent of modern kitchens, countertops have played a major role in food preparation. It is likely that original food preparation surfaces were flat stones and later wood was no doubt used. Modern countertops are made of various materials such as marble, granite and other natural materials, synthetic materials, ceramic tiles as well as wood in a form known as Butcher Block which was invented in the 1800's.

Common to all modern countertops is the necessity of cutting appropriate spaces in it to accept appliances such as stoves and refrigerators. In order to allow these appliances to be placed, at least a minimum clearance between the countertop and the appliance must be provided for. Additionally, it may become necessary to replace an appliance and there is no guarantee that the replacement appliance will be exactly the same dimension as the old one. This necessarily leads to at least a small gap at best and often large gaps appearing between the countertop and the appliance. This allows food products and liquids to enter the gap thus leading to unsanitary conditions and making cleanup difficult, especially without moving the appliance.

There is a need for an easy to use device that covers the gap between an appliance and a countertop that remains in place and keeps foods or liquids out of the gap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A counter gap extension device comprises an angle section having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The vertical portion has a cutout channel for accepting a magnetic strip material substantially traversing the entire vertical portion. One embodiment includes a portion on each end of the vertical portion without magnetic strip to allow a user to trim the length to fit specific counter widths. The counter gap extension device is placed against an appliance with the horizontal portion covering and protecting the gap. The magnetic strip removeably holds the counter gap extension device in place. One embodiment includes a plurality of circular shaped magnets disposed within the vertical portion.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a counter gap extension device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a counter gap extension device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an opposite side of the counter gap extension device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a counter gap extension device in use a typical application.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a counter gap extension device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a counter gap extension device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a counter gap extension device 100 has a horizontal portion 10 and a vertical portion 12. Vertical portion 12 has a recessed portion 14 which holds a magnetic strip 15 therein. Magnetic strip 15 is glued in, but of course other methods of attachment may be used as long as magnetic strip 15 is held securely. Magnetic strip 15 basically covers the entire length of vertical portion 12. Counter gap extension device 100 is made of polyethylene, a plastic material that is sufficiently flexible to lay flat yet conform to possible defects in a typical countertop. Of course other materials are suitable such as but not limited to vinyl, Formica®, wood, granite, marble, other natural products, composites or metal.

An advantage of plastic is that the color of the plastic may be made to match most countertops. Some of the most common colors used for countertops include black, white, almond and bisque but other colors may be used. Magnetic strip 15 is made of ferrite magnet powder suspended in a rubberized compound which provides a flexible strip with magnetic properties.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a plurality of circular magnets 50 are attached to vertical portion 12. Circular cutouts are machined in vertical portion 12 to accommodate circular magnets 50 and then are glued or press fit as is known in the art. Of course other shaped magnets may be used such as square or rectangular. Magnets 50 may be made of the rubberized magnets discussed above or may be ferrite or rare earth magnets if extra holding power is desired.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a typical kitchen application includes a stove 25 and a countertop 20. Counter gap extension device 100 is inserted in the gap between stove 25 and countertop 20 to prevent food or liquids from entering the gap. Magnetic strip 15 securely holds counter gap extension 100 in place by the attraction to magnetic metal in stove 25. Most appliances have a metallic region thus allowing counter gap extension 100 to be securely held in place with other appliances such as a refrigerator (not shown). Counter gap extension 100 is easily removed for cleaning by simply pulling away from appliance for repositioning or appliance removal.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a left space 65 and a right space 60 are provided to allow a user to trim counter gap extension to match a specific counter width. A recessed portion 55 is machined in vertical portion 12 to accept magnetic strip 15.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A counter gap extension device comprises: an angle segment having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion; a recessed portion disposed within said vertical portion substantially traversing a length thereof; and a magnetic strip secured within said recessed portion wherein said magnetic strip.
 2. The counter gap extension device of claim 1 wherein said generally horizontal portion has a curved front edge.
 3. The counter gap extension device of claim 1 wherein said magnetic strip is secured with an adhesive.
 4. The counter gap extension device of claim 2 wherein said angle segment is made of a color selectable material.
 5. The counter gap extension device of claim 2 wherein said angle segment is made of aluminum.
 6. The counter gap extension device of claim 2 wherein said angle segment is made of plastic.
 7. The counter gap extension device of claim 2 wherein said angle segment is made of metal.
 8. The counter gap extension device of claim 1 wherein said angle segment is manufactured to match a selected counter material.
 9. The counter gap extension device of claim 1 wherein said magnetic strip is a rubberized magnetic strip.
 10. The counter gap extension device of claim 1 wherein said magnetic strip is flush with an outer surface of said generally vertical portion.
 11. A counter gap extension device comprises: an angle segment having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion; a plurality of recessed portions disposed within said generally vertical portion substantially; and a plurality of magnetic portions secured within said recessed portion.
 12. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of magnetic portions are rare earth magnets.
 13. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said generally horizontal portion has a curved front edge.
 14. The counter gap extension device of claim 1I1 wherein said angle segment is made of a color selectable material.
 15. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said angle segment is made of aluminum.
 16. The counter gap extension device of claim 1I1 wherein said angle segment is made of plastic.
 17. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said angle segment is made of metal.
 18. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said angle segment is manufactured to match a selected counter material.
 19. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of magnetic portions are rubberized magnets.
 20. The counter gap extension device of claim 11 wherein said plurality of magnetic portions are secured with said plurality of recessed portions with an adhesive. 